6
W H AT W E K N O W
Complementary and
Alternative Treatments for
ADHD
OVERVIEW AND PRINCIPLES
I
n the past decade, there has been a tremendous
upsurge of scientific and public interest in attention-
deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This interest is
reflected not only in the number of scientific articles, but
also in the explosion of books and articles for parents and
teachers. Great strides have been made in the understanding and management
of this disorder. Children with ADHD who would have gone unrecognized and
untreated only a few short years ago are now being helped, sometimes with
dramatic results.
There are still many questions to be answered concerning the developmental
course, outcome and treatment of ADHD. Although there are several effective
treatments, they are not equally effective for all children with ADHD. Among the
most effective methods to date is the judicious use of medication and behavior
management, referred to in the scientific literature as multimodal treatment.
Multimodal treatment for children and adolescents with ADHD consists of
parent and child education about diagnosis and treatment, behavior management
techniques, medication, and school programming and supports. Treatment
should be tailored to the unique needs of each child and family.
www.help4adhd.org 1-800-233-4050
In an effort to seek effective help for ADHD, however,
many people turn to treatments that claim to be
useful but have not been shown to be truly effective,
in agreement with standards held by the scientific
community.
a treatment in carefully controlled conditions, with
enough subjects to allow researchers to be comfortable
with the “strength” of their findings. These studies
are repeated a number of times by various research
teams before arriving at a conclusion that a particular
treatment helps a particular problem.
The following terms are important in understanding
treatment interventions:
1. Medical/medication management of ADHD refers
to the treatment of ADHD using medication, under
the supervision of a medical professional. See What
We Know #3, “Managing Medication for Children and
Adolescents with ADHD,” for more information
2. Psychosocial treatment of ADHD refers to treatment
that targets the psychological and social aspects of
ADHD. See What We Know #7, “Psychosocial Treatment
for Children and Adolescents with ADHD,” for more
information.
3. Alternative treatment is any treatment -- other
than prescription medication or standard psychosocial/
behavioral treatments -- that claims to treat the
symptoms of ADHD with an equally or more effective
outcome. Prescription medication and standard
psychosocial/behavioral treatments have been
“extensively and well reviewed in the extant literature,
with undoubted efficacy.”1
4. Complementary interventions are not alternatives
to multimodal treatment, but have been found by some
families to improve the treatment of ADHD symptoms
or related symptoms.
5. Controversial treatments are interventions with
no known published science supporting them and no
legitimate claim to effectiveness.
Before actually using any of these interventions, families
and individuals are encouraged to consult with their
medical doctors. Some of these interventions are targeted
to children with very discrete medical problems. A good
medical history and a thorough physical examination
should check for signs and symptoms of such conditions
as thyroid dysfunction, allergic history, food intolerance,
dietary imbalance and deficiency, and general medical
problems that may mimic symptoms of ADHD.
HOW ARE TREATMENTS EVALUATED?
There are two ways that treatments may be evaluated: (1)
standard scientific procedure or (2) limited case studies
or testimonials. The scientific approach involves testing
The studies need to include techniques that decrease
the chance of reaching incorrect conclusions. These
techniques include comparing the particular treatment
to placebo or other treatments, assigning people to the
particular treatment or the comparison treatment in a
random fashion, and when possible, not letting families
or researchers know which treatment the person is
receiving until the study is finished, or at least having
people evaluate the outcomes of the study who are not
associated with the study and are unaware of what each
person received. It is also important that the people in
the study have the same diagnosis, which is obtained
using a clearly defined process, and that sound scientific
measures are used to assess outcomes.
Good scientific studies are often published in scientific
journals, and must go through a peer review before they
are published. Peer review is the analysis of research
by a group of professionals with expertise in a specific
scientific or medical field. Findings are not considered
substantive until additional studies have been conducted
to reaffirm (or refute) the findings.
In the second method of evaluation, conclusions are
drawn from a limited number of patients and are often
based solely on testimonials from doctors or patients.
A treatment that is evaluated only in this manner is not
necessarily a harmful or ineffective treatment. However,
the lack of standard scientific evaluation raises questions
about the effectiveness and safety of a treatment.
HOW DO I ASSESS ALTERNATIVE
TREATMENTS?
Alternative treatment approaches are usually publicized
in books or journals that do not require independent
review of the material by recognized experts in the field.
Often, in fact, the advocate of a particular treatment
approach publishes the work himself. Measurement
techniques and statistical means of evaluation are usually
not present, and “proof ” of the effectiveness of the
treatment often comes in the form of single case studies
or descriptions of the author’s clinical experience with a
large number of patients.
WHAT WE KNOW 6 COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS 2
QUESTIONS TO ASK ALTERNATIVE HEALTH
CARE PROVIDERS
The following questions should be asked of health care
providers regarding any intervention being considered.
Negative or incomplete answers to these questions
should be a cause for concern because it suggests the
absence of adequate research on the intervention.
• Have clinical trials (scientific tests of the effectiveness
and safety of a treatment using consenting human
subjects) been conducted regarding your approach?
Do you have information regarding the results?
• Can the public obtain information about your
alternative approach from the National Center for
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
at the National Institutes of Health? (The NCCAM
supports research on complementary and alternative
medicine, trains researchers, and disseminates
information to increase public understanding of
complementary and alternative medicine.) Contact
NCCAM at 888-644-6226 or www.nccam.nih.gov.
• Is there a national organization of practitioners? Are
there state licensing and accreditation requirements
for practitioners of this treatment? • Is your alternative treatment reimbursed by health
insurance?
1. Is it likely to work for me? Suspect an unproven
remedy if it:
•
•
comes without directions for proper use;
does not list contents.
has no information or warnings about side effects.
is described as harmless or “natural.” Remember,
most medications are developed from “natural”
sources, and that “natural” does not necessarily
mean harmless.
3. How is it promoted? Suspect an unproven remedy if
it:
•
•
•
•
•
•
claims to be based on a secret formula.
claims to work immediately and permanently for
everyone with ADHD.
is described as “astonishing,” “miraculous,” or an
“amazing breakthrough.”
claims to cure ADHD.
is promoted only through infomercials, selfpromoting books, or by mail order.
claims that the particular treatment is being
suppressed or unfairly attacked by the medical
community.
When evaluating reports of health care options, consider
the following questions:
This list has been adapted from Unproven Remedies
(Arthritis Foundation, 1987).
•
•
•
•
•
EVALUATING MEDIA REPORTS
CHECKLIST FOR SPOTTING UNPROVEN
REMEDIES
•
control groups are needed to clearly establish the
effectiveness of the intervention.
2. How safe is it? Suspect an unproven remedy if it:
claims to work for everyone with ADHD and other
health problems. No treatment works for everyone.
uses only case histories or testimonials as proof. It
is essential that promising reports from individuals
using a treatment be confirmed with systematic,
controlled research.
cites only one study as proof. One can have far more
confidence in a treatment when positive results have
been obtained in multiple studies.
cites a study without a control (comparison)
group. Testing a treatment without a control group
is a necessary first step in investigating a new
treatment, but subsequent studies with appropriate
1. What is the source of the information? Good
sources of information include medical schools,
government agencies (such as the National Institutes
of Health and the National Institute of Mental Health),
professional medical associations, and national disorder/
disease-specific organizations (such as CHADD).
Information from studies in reputable, peer-reviewed
medical journals is more credible than popular media
reports.
2. Who is the authority? The affiliations and relevant
credentials of “experts” should be provided, though
initials behind a name do not always mean that the
person is an authority. Reputable medical journals now
require researchers to reveal possible conflicts of interest,
such as when a researcher conducting a study also owns
a company marketing the treatment being studied or has
any other potential conflict of interest.
3. Who funded the research? It may be important to
also know who funded a particular research project.
WHAT WE KNOW 6 COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS 3
4. Is the finding preliminary or confirmed?
Unfortunately, a preliminary finding is often reported
in the media as a “breakthrough” result. An “interesting
preliminary finding” is a more realistic appraisal of
what often appears in headlines as an “exciting new
breakthrough.” You should track results over time and
seek out the original source, such as a professional
scientific publication, to get a fuller understanding of the
research findings.
TIPS FOR EVALUATING INFORMATION
ONLINE
The good news is that the Internet is becoming an
excellent source of medical information. The bad news
is that with its low cost and global entry, the Web is also
home to a great deal of unreliable health information.
In addition to the tips cited earlier, Web surfing requires
special considerations:
• Know the source. The domain name (e.g., www.
chadd.org) tells you the source of information on
the Web site, and the last part of the domain name
tells you about the source (e.g., .edu = university/
educational, .biz/.com = company/commercial, .org =
non-profit organization, .gov = government agency).
• Obtain a “second opinion” regarding information
on the Web. Pick a key phrase or name and run it
through a search engine to find other discussions of
the topic or talk to your health care professional.
FINANCIAL RESOURCES REQUIRED BY
FAMILIES
Families need to be aware of the financial implications of
any treatment. Ask the following questions to determine
the financial impact of a treatment:
1. Is the treatment covered by health insurance?
2. What out-of-pocket financial obligation will the
family have?
3. How long will this out-of-pocket financial obligation
be?
FOREWARNED IS FOREARMED
Get into the habit of actively seeking out information
about ADHD and every prescribed medication and
intervention that is proposed for you or your child. If you
use alternative medicines, don’t forget that they, too, are
drugs. To prevent harmful interactions with prescribed
medications, inform your health care provider of any
alternative medication used. Before actually beginning
an intervention, check with your medical doctor.
SPECIFIC CATEGORIES OF ALTERNATIVE,
COMPLEMENTARY, AND CONTROVERSIAL
TREATMENTS FOR ADHD
This information is provided for educational purposes
only. Because not every treatment for every individual
is effective, CHADD encourages additional research on
all complementary interventions that demonstrate some
potential.
Dietary Interventions
Having a healthy, balanced diet is key to having a happy
and healthy life. According to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), eating properly can help
lower the risk for many chronic diseases, including heart
disease. In addition, exercise and physical activity are
recommended as part of an overall healthy lifestyle.
It is important to monitor both the types of food eaten
and the amount of calories taken in. Consuming more
calories than are expended will result in a weight
gain, while taking in too few calories can result in an
unhealthy weight loss. The CDC states that balancing
caloric intake with expenditure is the desired goal.
Along with the CDC, the Department of Health and
Human Services (DHHS) promotes a healthy diet
and physical activity. Every five years the DHHS
releases “Dietary Guidelines,” to educate the public on
proper eating. The CDC recommends following these
guidelines.
The guidelines include a number of recommendations,
including the need to eat and drink a variety of nutrient
dense foods and beverages within the basic food groups
while limiting trans and saturated fats, cholesterol, added
sugars, salt and alcohol. Additionally, the guidelines
encourage selecting more fruits, vegetables, whole grains
and milk products.
For more information on proper nutrition, visit the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “Nutrition
for Everyone” page at www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/
nutrition/nutrition_for_everyone/index.htm. The DHHS
report on dietary guidelines can be found at www.health.
gov/dietaryguidelines/.
WHAT WE KNOW 6 COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS 4
As they relate to ADHD, dietary interventions fall
into two categories: the first is based on the concept
of eliminating one or more foods from one’s diet; and
the second is based on the concept of adding to or
supplementing one’s diet with nutritional supplements or
foods that are thought to be missing.
Elimination Diets One of the most publicized of the diet elimination
approaches is the Feingold Diet.2 This diet is based on
the theory that many children are sensitive to dietary
salicylates and artificially added colors, flavors, and
preservatives, and that eliminating the offending
substances from the diet could improve learning and
behavioral problems, including ADHD. Despite a few
positive studies, most controlled studies do not support
this hypothesis.3 At least eight controlled studies since
1982, the latest being 1997, have found validity to
elimination diets in only a small subset of children
“with sensitivity to foods.”4 While the proportion of
children with ADHD who have food sensitivities has
not been empirically established, experts believe that the
percentage is small.5, 6, 7 Parents who are concerned about
diet sensitivity should have their children examined by a
medical doctor for food allergies.
Research has also shown that the simple elimination of
sugar or candy does not affect ADHD symptoms, despite
a few encouraging reports.8, 9
Nutritional Supplements
Nutritional supplementation is the opposite of the
dietary elimination approach. While the elimination
diet assumes that something is unhealthy and should be
removed from the diet, supplementation is based on the
assumption that something is missing in the diet in an
optimal amount and should be added. Parents who are
concerned about possible missing nutrients should have
their children examined by a medical doctor.
While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
regulates the sale of prescription medication, the
FDA does not strictly regulate the ingredients or the
manufacturer claims about dietary supplements. Go to
the FDA Web site (www.fda.gov) to learn about existing
regulations.
ADHD is a brain-based disorder where the chemistry
of the brain (neurotransmitters) is not functioning
as it should. Nerve cell membranes are composed
of phospholipids containing large amounts of
polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6).
Studies have been conducted to examine the impact
of omega-3 and omega-6 deficiency and the possible
impact of fatty acid supplementation. Further controlled
studies are needed.10
Recently, organizations exclusively promoting
glyconutritional supplements have come into
business and are widely publicizing their products.
Glyconutritional supplements contain basic saccharides
necessary for cell communication and formation of
glycoproteins and glycolipids. These saccharides are
glucose, galactose, mannose, N-acetylneuraminic
acid, fucose, N-acetylgalactosamine, and xylose.
Two small studies showed a reduction in inattention
and hyperactivity symptoms after a program of
glyconutritional supplements,11, 12 but a third study found
no impact of the supplements on symptoms.13
The following conclusions regarding various
supplements are based on an extensive review of the
scientific literature:14
1. Treatments with supplements that “are neither proven
nor found lacking in definitive controlled trials” include
essential fatty acid supplementation, glyconutritional
supplementation, recommended daily allowance (RDA)
vitamins, single-vitamin megadosage, and herbals.
2. Megadose multivitamins (as opposed to RDA
multivitamins) “have been demonstrated to be probably
ineffective or possibly dangerous,” and “have not only
failed to show benefit in controlled studies, but also carry
a mild risk of hepatotoxicity and peripheral neuropathy.”
3. “For children with demonstrated deficiencies of
any nutrient (e.g., zinc, iron, magnesium, vitamins),
correction of that deficiency is the logical first-line
treatment. It is not clear what proportion of children
have such a nutritional deficiency.” The deficiency as a
cause of ADHD without other symptoms has not been
demonstrated.
4. Amino acid supplementation does not appear to be “a
promising area for further exploration.”
5. “No systematic data regarding ADHD efficacy could
be found for hypericum, Gingko biloba, Calmplex,
Defendol, or pycnogenol.”
Interactive Metronome Training
Interactive Metronome Training is a relatively new
intervention for individuals with ADHD. The Interactive
Metronome (IM) is a computerized version of a simple
metronome -- i.e. what musicians use to “keep the beat”
WHAT WE KNOW 6 COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS 5
-- and produces a rhythmic beat that individuals attempt
to match with hand or foot tapping. Auditory feedback
is provided, which indicates how well the individual is
matching the beat. It is suggested that improvement in
matching the beat over repeated sessions reflects gains in
motor planning and timing skills.
The rationale behind IM training is that motor planning
and timing deficits are common in children with ADHD
and are related to problems with behavioral inhibition
that some experts believe are critical to understanding
the disorder. In addition, these deficits are alleviated by
stimulant medication treatment. Thus, it is plausible that
interventions to improve motor timing and planning
abilities directly, such as IM training, could also be
helpful to children with ADHD. There is no evidence
that motor in-coordination is related to behavioral
inhibition.
To date, there has been a single study of IM training
for boys with ADHD.15 This was a well-conducted
study with appropriate control groups, and the results
indicated that boys who received IM training showed
improvements in a wide range of areas. Thus, this
intervention appears to be promising.
Cerebellar Training
Cerebellar exercises are designed to develop the neural
pathways and address the slow information processing
that may be associated with specific reading and learning
disorders. Through a series of physical exercises that
combine movement and balance, these treatments
purport to speed up information processing and improve
cerebellar functioning. ‘Brain-focused training’ that
would include exercise programs that stimulate the
cerebellum fall under the category of controversial
treatments for which there is no known published
science. These approaches have not yet been tested in
the rigorous manner that is required to make a clear
conclusion about their efficacy in treating the symptoms
of ADHD.
Antimotion Sickness Medication
Additional research using IM training in individuals
with ADHD is necessary, however, before the value of
this approach can be known with greater certainty.
Sensory Integration Training
Sensory integration (SI) therapy, which is delivered by
occupational therapists, is not a treatment for ADHD.
It is an intervention for SI dysfunction, a condition in
which the brain is overloaded by too many sensory
messages and cannot normally respond to the sensory
messages it receives. The theory behind SI therapy is that
through structured and constant movement, the brain
learns to better react and integrate the various sensory
messages it is receiving.16, 17 SI therapy attempts to treat
developmental coordination problems.18
Some pediatricians and occupational therapists
acknowledge that SI dysfunction is a possible associated
finding or disorder in some children with ADHD, but it
is not universally recognized and diagnostic criteria are
not well established. There is practically no published
clinical research on SI therapy. There is considerable
anecdotal support for its value in treating SI dysfunction,
particularly children with tactile hypersensitivity.19
Recent meta-analyses of SI training for various
disabled children have not found it to be superior
to other treatments, and several studies found that
its contribution was not significant at all.20, 21 ADHD
was not examined in these studies. SI therapy is not a
treatment for ADHD but some children with ADHD
may have SI dysfunction.
The theory behind this approach is that there is a
relationship between ADHD and problems with the
inner ear system, which plays a major role in balance and
coordination.22 Advocates of this approach recommend
a mixed array of medications, including antimotion
sickness medication, usually meclizine and cyclizine, and
sometimes in combination with stimulant medications.
The only controlled, blinded study that examined this
treatment found the theory not valid.23
This approach is not consistent in any way with what
is currently known about ADHD, and is not supported
by research findings. Anatomically and physiologically,
there is no reason to believe that the inner ear system is
involved in attention and impulse-control other than in
marginal ways.
Candida Yeast
Candida is a type of yeast that lives in the human body.
Normally, yeast growth is kept in check by a strong
immune system and by “friendly” bacteria, but when
the immune system is weakened or friendly bacteria
are killed by antibiotics, candida can overgrow. Some
believe that toxins produced by the yeast overgrowth
weaken the immune system and make the body
susceptible to ADHD and other psychiatric disorders.24,
25, 26
They tout the use of antifungal agents, such as
nystatin, in combination with sugar restriction. There
WHAT WE KNOW 6 COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS 6
is no “systematic prospective trial data” to support this
hypothesis.27
Neurofeedback (EEG Biofeedback)
EEG biofeedback -- also referred to as neurofeedback
--- is an intervention for ADHD that is based on findings
that many individuals with ADHD show low levels of
arousal in frontal brain areas. The basic understanding
is that the brain emits various brainwaves that are
indicative of the electrical activity of the brain and that
different types of brainwaves are emitted depending on
whether the person is in a focused and attentive state or
a drowsy/day dreaming state.
Because there has been increased interest in
neurofeedback as a possible intervention for ADHD,
the National Resource Center on ADHD has developed
a separate What We Know sheet to address the topic.
Please see What We Know #6A: “Complementary
and Alternative Treatments: Neurofeedback (EEG
Biofeedback) and ADHD” for more information.
Chiropractic
Some chiropractors believe that chiropractic medicine is
an effective intervention for ADHD.28, 29, 30 Chiropractic
is based on the belief that spinal problems are the
cause of health problems and that spinal manipulations
(“adjustments”) can restore and maintain health.
Advocates of this approach believe that imbalance of
muscle tone can cause an imbalance of brain activity, and
that spinal adjustments as well as other somatosensory
stimulation, such as exposure to varying frequencies of
light and sound, can effectively treat ADHD and learning
disabilities.31
Other chiropractors believe that the skull is an extension
of the spine and advocate a method called applied
kinesiology, or Neural Organization Technique. The
premise behind this approach is that learning disabilities
are caused by the misalignment of two specific bones in
the skull, which creates unequal pressure on different
areas of the brain, leading to brain malfunction.32
The bones are the phenoid bone at the base of the
skull and the temporal bones on the sides of the skull.
The theory says that this bone misalignment creates
unequal pressure on different areas of the brain. This
misalignment is also said to create “ocular lock,” an
eye-movement malfunction that contributes to reading
problems. The advocates argue that since eye muscles
are attached to the skull, if the cranial bones are not in
proper position, malfunctions in eye movement (ocular
lock) occur. Treatment consists of restoring the cranial
bones to the proper position through specific bodily
manipulations.
These theories are not consistent with either current
knowledge of the causes of learning disabilities or
knowledge of human anatomy, as even standard medical
textbooks state that cranial bones do not move. No
research has been done to support the effectiveness of
chiropractic approaches for the treatment of ADHD.
Optometric Vision Training
Advocates of this approach believe that visual problems
-- such as faulty eye movements, sensitivity of the eyes
to certain light frequencies, and focus problems -- cause
reading disorders. Treatment programs vary widely,
but may include eye exercises and educational and
perceptual training.
There is “no systematic data on optometric training for
ADHD despite its widespread use.”33 In 1972, a joint
statement highly critical of this optometric approach
was issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics,
the then American Academy of Ophthalmology and
Otolaryngology, and the American Association of
Ophthalmology.
Thyroid Treatment
In children with thyroid dysfunction, the thyroid status
seems related to attention and hyper-active-impulsive
systems.34, 35 Experts recommend that all children
with ADHD be screened for signs of possible thyroid
dysfunction.36 However, thyroid hormone syndrome
appears extremely rare in ADHD.37 Thyroid function
tests are not recommended unless there are other signs
and symptoms to suggest thyroid dysfunction.38
Lead Treatment
Hyperactivity in animals is a symptom of lead
poisoning39 and thus chelation therapy40 is advocated
as an approach to lessen lead levels in the blood.
Chelation therapy should be considered for children
with blood lead elevations. There is significant
professional disagreement over how low the lead blood
level should be.41 Consultation with a medical doctor is
recommended.
WHAT WE KNOW 6 COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS 7
CONCLUSION
4
ibid
Before actually using any of these interventions, families
and individuals are encouraged to consult with their
medical doctors. Some of these interventions are targeted
to individuals with very discrete medical problems.
A good medical history and a thorough physical
examination should check for signs of such conditions
as thyroid dysfunction, allergic history, food intolerance,
dietary imbalance and deficiency, and general medical
problems.
5
ibid
Each child and each individual is unique. While
multimodal treatment is the gold standard of treatment
for ADHD, not all individuals can tolerate medications,
and medications are not always effective. Some
individuals experience side effects that are too great.
Being an informed consumer about the published
science behind an intervention and frequently
communicating with your medical doctor are important
factors in determining if the interventions identified in
this paper should be considered.
CHADD encourages greater independent and objective
research on all treatments and interventions.
SUGGESTED READING
Arnold, L.E. (2002). Treatment Alternatives for AttentionDeficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. In P.J. Jensen, & J. Cooper
(Eds.), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: State of
the Science and Best Practices. Kingston, NJ: Civic Research
Institute.
Ingersoll, B., & Goldstein, S. (1993). Attention deficit disorder
and learning disabilities: Realities, myths and controversial
treatments. New York: Doubleday Publishing Group.
Zametkin, A.J., & Ernst, M. (1999). Current concepts: Problems
in the management of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
New England Journal of Medicine, 340, 40 - 46.
6 Wender, E.J. (1986). The food additive-free diet in
the treatment of behavior disorders: A review. Journal of
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 7, 735-42.
7 Baumgaertel, A. (1999). Alternative and controversial
treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Pediatric
Clinics of North America, 46, 977-992.
8 Arnold, L.E. (2002). Treatment Alternatives for AttentionDeficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. In P.J. Jensen, & J. Cooper
(Eds.), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: State of
the Science and Best Practices. Kingston, NJ: Civic Research
Institute.
9 Wolraich, M.L., Lindgren, S.D., Stumbo, P.J., Stegink,
L.D., Appelbaum, M.I., & Kiritsy, M.C. (1994). Effects of diet
high in sucrose or aspartame on the behavior and cognitive
performance of children. New England Journal of Medicine,
330, 301-307.
10 Arnold, L.E. (2002). Treatment Alternatives for AttentionDeficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. In P.J. Jensen, & J. Cooper
(Eds.), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: State of
the Science and Best Practices. Kingston, NJ: Civic Research
Institute.
11 Dykman, K.D., & Dykman, R.A. (1998). Effect of
nutritional supplements on attentional-deficit hyperactivity
disorder. Integrative Physiological and Behavioral Science, 33,
49-60.
12 Dykman, K.D., & McKinley, R. (1997). Effect of
glyconutritionals on the severity of ADHD. Proceedings of the
Fisher Institute for Medical Research, 1, 24-25.
13 Arnold, L.E. (2002). Treatment Alternatives for AttentionDeficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. In P.J. Jensen, & J. Cooper
(Eds.), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: State of
the Science and Best Practices. Kingston, NJ: Civic Research
Institute.
14 ibid
15 Shaffer, R.J., Jacokes, L.E., Cassily, J.F., Greenspan, S.I.,
Tuchman, R.F., & Stemmer, P.J. (2001). Effect of interactive
metronome training on children with ADHD. American
Journal of Occupational Therapy, 55, 155-162.
16 Sensory Integration International. (1996). A parent?s guide
to understanding sensory integration. Torrance, CA: Author.
REFERENCES
1 Arnold, L.E. (2002). Treatment Alternatives for AttentionDeficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. In P.J. Jensen, & J. Cooper
(Eds.), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: State of
the Science and Best Practices. Kingston, NJ: Civic Research
Institute.
2 Feingold, B.F. (1975). Why your child is hyperactive. New
York: Random House.
3 Arnold, L.E. (2002). Treatment Alternatives for AttentionDeficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. In P.J. Jensen, & J. Cooper
(Eds.), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: State of
the Science and Best Practices. Kingston, NJ: Civic Research
Institute.
17 Kranowitz, C.S. (1998). The out-of-sync child: Recognizing
and coping with sensory integration dysfunction. New York:
Perigee Book.
18 Polatajko, H., Law, M., Miller, J., Schaffer, R., & Macnab,
J. (1991). The effect of a sensory integration program on
academic achievement, motor performance, and self-esteem
in children identified as learning disabled: Results of a clinical
trial. Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, 11, 155-176.
19 Sherman, C. (2000, January). Sensory integration
dysfunction is controversial dx. Clinical Psychiatry News, p. 29.
WHAT WE KNOW 6 COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS 8
20 Vargas, S., & Gammilli, G. (1999). A meta-analysis of
research on sensory integration treatment. American Journal of
Occupational Therapy, 53, 189-198.
21 Accardo, P.J., Blondis, T.A., Whitman, B.Y., & Stein, M.
(Eds.) (2000). Attention-deficit disorders and hyperactivity in
children and adults (2nd ed.). New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc.
22 Levinson, H. (1990). Total concentration: How to
understand attention deficit disorders, with treatment guidelines
for you and your doctor. New York: M. Evans.
23 Fagan, J.E., Kaplan, B.J., Raymond, J.E., & Edgington,
E.S. (1988). The failure of antimotion sickness medication
to improve reading in developmental dyslexia: Results of a
randomized trial. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral
Pediatrics, 9, 359-66.
24 Crook, W.G. (1985). Pediatricians, antibiotics, and office
practice. Pediatrics, 76, 139-140.
25 Crook, W.G. (1986). The yeast connection: A medical
breakthrough (3rd ed.). Jackson, TN: Professional Books.
26 Crook, W.G. (1991.) A controlled trial of nystatin for the
candidiasis hypersensitivity syndrome [Letter to the editor].
New England Journal of Medicine, 324, 1592.
27 Arnold, L.E. (2002). Treatment Alternatives for AttentionDeficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. In P.J. Jensen, & J. Cooper
(Eds.), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: State of
the Science and Best Practices. Kingston, NJ: Civic Research
Institute.
28 Walton, E.V. (1975). Chiropractic effectiveness with
emotional, learning, and behavioral impairments. International
Review of Chiropractic, 29, 21-22.
29 Giesen, J.M., Center, D.B., & Leach, R.A. (1989). An
evaluation of chiropractic manipulation as a treatment for
hyperactivity in children,? Journal of Manipulative and
Physiological Therapeutics, 12, 353-363.
36 Weiss, R.E., & Stein, M.A. (2000). Thyroid function
and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. In P. Accardo,
T. Blondis, B. Whitman, & M. Stein (Eds.), Attention-deficit
disorders and hyperactivity in children and adults (2nd ed.) (pp.
419-428). New York: Marcel Dekker.
37 Weiss, R.E., Stein, M.A., & Refetoff, S. (1997). Behavioral
effects of liothyronine (L-T3) in children with attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder in the presence and absence of resistance
to thyroid hormone. Thyroid, 7, 389-393.
38 American Academy of Pediatrics. (2001). Clinical practice
guideline: treatment of the school-aged child with attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder. Pediatrics, 108, 1033-44.
39 Silbergeld, E.K., & Goldberg, A.M. (1975).
Pharmacological and neurochemical investigations of leadinduced hyperactivity, Neuropharmacology, 14, 431-444.
40 Gong, Z., & Evans H.L. (1997). Effect of chelation with
meso-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) before and after the
appearance of lead-induced neurotoxicity in the rat. Toxicology
and Applied Pharmacology, 144, 205-214.
41 Arnold, L.E. (2002). Treatment Alternatives for AttentionDeficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. In P.J. Jensen, & J. Cooper
(Eds.), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: State of
the Science and Best Practices. Kingston, NJ: Civic Research
Institute.
The information provided in this sheet was supported by Grant/
Cooperative Agreement Number 1U84DD001049-01 from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The contents
are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily
represent the official views of CDC. This fact sheet was approved
by CHADD’s Professional Advisory Board in 2003.
This sheet was updated in January 2008.
30 Schetchikova, N. (2002, July). Children with ADHD:
Medical vs. chiropractic perspective and theory. Journal of the
American Chiropractic Association, 28-38.
31 ibid
32 Ferreri, C.W., & Wainwright, R.B. (1984). Break Through
for Dyslexia and Learning Disabilities. Pompano Beach, FL:
Exposition Press.
33 Arnold, L.E. (2002). Treatment Alternatives for AttentionDeficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. In P.J. Jensen, & J. Cooper
(Eds.), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: State of
the Science and Best Practices. Kingston, NJ: Civic Research
Institute.
34 Rovert, J. & Alvarez, M. (1996). Thyroid hormone
and attention in school-age children with congenital
hypothyroidism. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry,
and Allied Disciplines, 37, 579-585.
35 Hauser, P., Soler, R., Brucker-Davis, F., & Weintraub,
B.D. (1997). Thyroid hormones correlate with symptoms
of hyperactivity but not inattention in attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 22, 107-114.
© 2008 Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/
Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD).
Permission is granted to photocopy this What We Know
sheet in its entirety.
For further information about ADHD or CHADD, please
contact:
National Resource Center on ADHD
Children and Adults with
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
4601 Presidents Drive, Suite 300
Lanham, MD 20706
800-233-4050
www.help4adhd.org
Please also visit the CHADD Web site at
www.chadd.org.
WHAT WE KNOW 6 COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS 9